Magnetized

 

 

 

 

Magnets are my storage friends. These little guys are great.

Take up little space but hold numerous sheets of paper or 

heavier paper stock on a surface.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 My metal shelving unit is magnet friendly. Found these with interchangeable  

hook sizes that screw into the base. Now they are in the garage & studio. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 If I punch holes in stuff I can hang them on the hooks. Or add a large paper clip & hang that.

 

 

 

                               

 

 I like to have things I use constantly close & available.

Sponges & gloves for painting, printing, stenciling. 

In the Kitchen. Got this magnetic bar last winter. 

So nice to get the big wood block off the counter.

 

On the chest freezer in the garage. 

Who doesn't have loads of reusable bags...

that we can't use right now. Sigh.

Finally got the walking poles away from the front door.

Telescoping magnet. Black handle on the right. 

Extended below. It was in my Dad's tools.

Glad I kept it!

 

 

Comes in real handy when you drop a needle or pin either behind something, 

or you can't find it. Sweep that baby & you can pick it up.

Finally. I follow a blog called "The Magnet". 

 

In the words of the author:

A weekly newsletter of tips, recommendations of things that interest me, things I've learned, recipes, quotations, and more.

You can get a paid subscription (of course) but I just read the blog. 

Given the title I thought it appropriate to mention. 

 

Spoons A to Z Challenge

A simple tool. So versatile. You don't need a fork if you have a spoon. 

They also works of art. These were my mothers.

 I use them in the kitchen every day. The patina!

Part of "building an artful life", my theme, involves using things
 that you find beautiful in your everyday tasks. That practice can bring you joy.

These little beauties I found years ago. Had to have them.

 They went on my Christmas list & I was rewarded. Apparently I was good that year. 

Pounded pewter. Plus lots of artistic detail. Use 'em every day. 

I admire the hand made spoons of others. 

The 2 above examples are from Instagram.

Shanna Leino made these. Ebonized walnut, wow.

Would love to take a class to learn to carve wooden spoons.

Of course a class would require special tools. More art supplies. Oh well. 

At a workshop a few years back one person made the comment "We aren't artists, we're collectors of fine art supplies". Funny, but very true.

Close to the Bone Day 2 A to Z Challenge

B is for Bone. A wonderful medium for tools used in book binding as well as other paper arts. Silky, translucent, hard, durable. They are a joy to hold.

 Bone folders are indispensable. I have 3, so far, & this little guy is my favorite! The tip is perfect for scoring paper for folding. The curve just right for creasing or smoothing down glued items.

Made by Jim Croft. A masterful book binder, tool maker, throw back to an earlier time. If you are curious take a cruise around their site. Off the grid, use of raw materials, talk about building an artful life, this couple has done it to the extreme.

 Another rock star in the bone implement arena is Shanna Leino. As it happens she moved to a town very close to mine recently, I want to learn to make these tools from her! Both Shanna & Jim sell their folders at Talas

 Another fabulous bookbinder, tool maker is Brien Beidler.I had the opportunity to meet him & get a tour of his work a couple years back. If you have time check out his work on his site.

 

 I have had these two for about 17 years, since I began book binding. They go everywhere with me if I think any art will be involved.